Growing Together: When Cities and Farms Unite

Farming and urbanization are often seen as opposing forces, but Andreas Gugumuck believes they should evolve together. In Rothneusiedl, on the southern edge of Vienna, his farm stands at the frontier of change, one of the last agricultural spaces in an area which is set to become a city district for 21,000 people starting in 2030.

Rather than resisting urban expansion, Andreas is redefining what it means to farm in a city, proving that food production can be an integral part of sustainable urban planning. His vision is a city where edible landscapes, community gardens, and regenerative market gardens are seamlessly woven into urban living.

Vienna’s Snail Revival: Fusing Heritage and Regeneration

Fifteen years ago, he left his previous career to take over the family farm and transform the Escargots Viennois into a modern culinary ambassador. Rather than simply reviving a forgotten tradition, Andreas focused on establishing snail farming as a sustainable and innovative part of Austrian gastronomy. With its minimal ecological footprint and refined taste, the Escargots Viennois has found its way onto the menus of top restaurants across the country, celebrated as a climate-friendly delicacy that combines regional identity with future-oriented cuisine.

Snails require minimal land, water, and feed, making them one of the most resource-efficient forms of animal protein. On Gugumuck Hof, they are raised in a natural environment, feeding only on plants grown on-site and scraps from the farm’s regenerative market garden where On half a hectare, Andreas cultivates 75 different crops. His approach to farming is deeply rooted in circularity, ensuring that waste is minimized and natural cycles are restored.

But The Gugumuck farm and manufactory is not just a place of production, it’s also an educational hub and community space. Visitors can dine at the farm’s bistro, enjoy seasonal seven-course gala dinners, attend workshops, or explore the on-site Gartenbar, which is nestled in the heart of the market garden and open during the summer months. His events bring people closer to the origins of their food, reinforcing the importance of local, seasonal eating in an urban environment.

Advocating for Cities That Feed Us

Andreas is also passionate about showcasing how cities can integrate agriculture into their ecosystems. He has played a key role in anchoring agriculture in the urban development vision, contributing to the Zukunftshof project—a pioneering initiative aimed at creating a regenerative, circular food system in Vienna—and initiating a citizens' council to foster discussions between politicians, administrators, and the public. He has also worked with bigger networks, such as Hamburg’s urban agriculture initiative, to build model regions for sustainable city farming. His farm serves as a reference for urban productive green spaces, demonstrating how municipalities can rethink land use to enhance food security and resilience while creating jobs, fostering biodiversity, and reducing emissions.

At the core of his philosophy is a simple but powerful idea: cities should not just consume food, they should produce it. By blending the past with the future, Andreas is ensuring that Vienna’s rich food traditions will continue to survive and thrive.